Understanding
Addiction
A research
based review on substance dependency
By Anthony
DeLapp
Have
you ever had a family member or friend with a drug or alcohol addiction? Maybe
you were not quite sure if they had an addiction, but you had the feeling they
did because of their behaviors or signs? There are many factors to consider
when dealing with or helping a loved one who has a drug or alcohol related
addiction. There are also many signs to look for when determining whether or
not drug or alcohol addiction is the problem or the problem is something
completely different such as social anxiety or depression. The power of addiction can
be extremely hard to understand by one who has never experienced addiction
first hand. There are certain factors to consider when dealing with someone who
has a drug or alcohol addiction. Understanding how addiction works and knowing
how addiction affects a person mentally and physically are very important to
know about when trying to “break the barrier” with an addict.
There are two types of substance dependency. These
types of substance dependency are physical and mental dependency “addiction”.
“Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder in which compulsive drug-seeking
and drug-taking behavior persists despite serious negative consequences” (Jordi
Cami, 2003). What does this mean? Well, basically, if drug addiction occurs in
lieu of long-term drug or alcohol use, then the addict will let the addiction
control their mentality even if the consequences of their actions are
detrimental to their well-being. Initially, addictive substances give a pleasant
state of mind, relieve stress, or both. After continued use, they cause
adaptive changes in the central nervous system. This creates higher tolerance
levels, physical dependency, cravings and urges, and relapse. Some view this
illness as substance dependency rather than drug addiction. “Drug addiction
emphasizes the behavioral connotation of the term and is less likely to be
confused with physical dependence” (Jordi Cami, 2003). In other words, the use
of the term drug addiction is easier to distinguish from physical dependency
than the use of the term substance dependency. According to the American
Psychiatric Association, a patient must meet three of the seven criteria in
order to be determined as having a substance dependency. Craving, physical or
physiological dependence, priming, relapse, reward, sensitization, substance
abuse, substance dependence, and withdrawal syndrome are all terms used in
relation to drug addiction. Tolerance and physical dependence refer to how a
person adapts to the effects of a substance. The other above mentioned terms
define addiction.
Now that we know the types of addiction, there are also
substances that have been linked to these types of addiction. There are many
substances that are sources of substance dependency. Some of the most common
addictive substance categories are opioids, cannabinoids, cocaine,
amphetamines, and alcohol. Common opioids include heroin and morphine. The
short-term use of heroin and morphine causes euphoria, sedation, and reflects a
feeling of tranquility. The more that these substances are used, the higher the
level of tolerance and extreme physical dependence can be. “Overdose can cause
lethal respiratory depression” (Jordi Cami, 2003). There have been many reports
linking long-term heroin use to documented impairments in health. The most
common cannabinoids are marijuana and hashish. “The use of marijuana or hashish
produces feelings of relaxation and well-being and impairs cognitive function
and performance of psychomotor tasks” (Jordi Cami, 2003). An overdose of
cannabinoids can cause panic attack, psychosis, or both. Patients diagnosed
with schizophrenia reportedly have high rates of incidence for cannabis
consumption. The withdrawal symptoms can include insomnia, restlessness, and
irritability. Initial use of amphetamines can cause euphoria, feeling of
well-being, arousal, and concentration. Amphetamines are psycho-stimulants.
“These substances cause an increase in blood pressure and pulse rate and induce
the release of corticotropin and cortisol” (Jordi Cami, 2003). Amphetamines
induce a chemical release in the brain that causes increased heart rate,
increased blood pressure, and a state of euphoria.
There are several
factors that can have an influence on the reason why a person uses
mind-altering substances, which can lead to drug addiction. “Personality traits
and mental disorders are major conditioning factors in drug addiction.
Risk-taking or novelty-seeking traits favor the use of addictive drugs” (Jordi
Cami, 2003). This means that people with outgoing, rebellious, and adventurous
personalities are more prone to drug addiction. Poly-drug use is very common
among people with drug addiction, in which the use of multiple drugs occurs.
Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and
attention deficit disorder have shown to give increased risk of substance
abuse. “Genetic factors that influence the metabolism and the effects of drugs
contribute to the risk of addiction” (Jordi Cami, 2003). For instance, a person
whose biological parents were addicted to drugs or alcohol have a greater risk
of becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol than a person whose parents were not
addicted to these substances. Even if the person has not been raised by their
biological parents, they are still at an increased risk for addiction. These
people also have less sensitivity to drugs or alcohol from birth, which
predicts the development of an addiction. “Drug-induced alterations in
chromatin structure have now been implicated in both the pathogenesis and
maintenance of the addicted state” (William Renthal, 2008). This means that the
long-term use of addictive substances will continually increase tolerance and
cause permanent physical and mental damage and dependency.
People who have not experienced an addiction cannot
completely understand what it is like to be addicted. Those who are trying to
understand more about addiction, how it works, and what toll it takes on people
(physically and mentally) can become more knowledgeable about substance abuse
and drug addiction, but will still lack the experience and ultimately will not
know what it is like in the shoes of an addict. Many people lose everything,
including their belongings, self-respect, their home, and even their children
because of substance abuse. Addiction can cause a person to abandon their
morals and beliefs, because the addiction is so powerful that it consumes a
person’s mentality. Life after addiction is hard and takes hard work,
determination, and sheer will to keep on the right path and avoid relapse.
Relapse is a term that defines the use of a previously abused substance by a
person who is addicted to that substance. Relapsing can be very dangerous. In
some instances such as heroin abuse relapsing can be lethal. “Relapse remains a
common problem in disorders related to cocaine use. Knowledge about the relapse
process has increased considerably in recent years, but although the influence
of certain factors on relapse in cocaine use now seems clear, specific research
is still scarce and inconclusive” (Sanchez-Hervas E, 2012). This means that
studies show there are many factors known to cause an addict to relapse, but
there is still inconclusive results in some studies to determine all of the
facts.
Remember the process of communicating with someone with a drug or alcohol
related addiction can be nerve-racking and even require a large amount of
patience, but the more you understand about drugs and alcohol and the effects
that they can have on a person physically, mentally, and emotionally the easier
it can be on you and your loved ones. Every person handles addiction
differently, but knowing how to interpret how addiction works is essential in
dealing with the process of resolving the problem.
List of References
1. Mechanisms of Disease (Drug Addiction) by Jordi Cami M.D., Ph.D. and Magi Farre M.D.,
Ph.D., 2003
2. Epigenetic Mechanisms In Drug Addiction by
William Renthal and Eric Nestler, 2008
3. Identity Transformation In Drug Addiction by
Tammy L. Anderson Ph.D, 2001
